Cascaded microring resonators for biomedical applications: improved sensitivity at large tuning range

V. Zamora; P. Lützow; D. Pergande; H. Heidrich

doi:10.1117/12.2004401

5 March 2013 Cascaded microring resonators for biomedical applications: improved sensitivity at large tuning range

V. Zamora, P. Lützow, D. Pergande, H. Heidrich

Proceedings Volume 8570, Frontiers in Biological Detection: From Nanosensors to Systems V; 857002 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2004401
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2013, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The progress in bioanalytics caused a growing demand of innovation in reliable, miniaturized and low cost optical sensor systems based on integrated optical devices. We present a detailed analysis of sensor elements for applications in aqueous solution based on two cascaded microring resonators (MRRs) by using the Vernier effect (VE). This approach is beneficial for ultra-high sensitivity at large fabrication tolerances, aspects of crucial importance for the practical detection of biomolecules such as peptides. The architecture consists of two silicon nitride microrings connected via a bus waveguide. The free spectral range (FSR) of individual rings is slightly different in order to achieve VE. Thereby the external refractive index of the reference ring is fixed; the second one varies due to the presence of the analyte. The precise operation is controlled by using spectral tuning via integrated micro-heaters. Theoretical analysis has been performed for different structural parameters. A sensitivity several orders of magnitude higher than in the case of a single ring can be predicted for TE and TM polarization, respectively. The first design of Vernier devices and its experimental characterization will be presented. The devices include tapered grating couplers in order to couple light between fibers and chip at moderate alignment tolerances in a reliable manner. Therefore, by combining the VE and the spectral tuning, cascaded MRRs are an optical configuration very promising for sensing applications.

Citation Download Citation

V. Zamora, P. Lützow, D. Pergande, and H. Heidrich "Cascaded microring resonators for biomedical applications: improved sensitivity at large tuning range", Proc. SPIE 8570, Frontiers in Biological Detection: From Nanosensors to Systems V, 857002 (5 March 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2004401

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available